Guides

Ceret and the Vallespir

Rich in culture and tradition, vibrant and exciting, the Vallespir is an area of the Pyrenees Orientales just waiting to be discovered.This ancient land of Catalonia is a colourful mix of music, dance, art, food, rugby and warm generous people. There is a plentiful selection of villas and apartments in the Vallespir to suit every traveller and budget.
Stretching east to west from the pretty town of Ceret to the walled town of Prats de Mollo, the valley is dominated by the snow-covered...

Upper Normandy (Haute-Normandie)

Haute Normandie, created in 1984, consists of the two departements of Seine-Maritime and Eure. Being just across the Channel and not far from Paris, it is an ideal base for travellers from the UK, either for weekend breaks or longer holidays. It is considered one of the most cultural parts of France.Although the climate is similar to that of southern England, the summers tend to be a little warmer and sunnier.
Rouen is the regional capital but by population Le Havre is its largest city....

Lower Normandy (Basse-Normandie)

Created in 1956, Lower Normandy consists of the three departments of Calvados, Manche and Orne. Inland is a region of forests, orchards and rich agricultural land which is an important producer of milk, butter, cream and cheese. Its extensive coast-line provides a wealth of sea-food and is the location for a number of attractive sea-side resorts.Transport links in the region are all very good: three Brittany Ferry services link the UK ports of Portsmouth and Poole with Caen and Cherbourg....

Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azure

Generally known as PACA, this region covers a large area of south-eastern France and includes the old French province of Provence. Its situation, bordered by the Mediterranean in the south, Italy to the east and the Rhone Alpes to the north have made this region one of the top destinations for UK visitors and second home owners for decades.
Its attractiveness is enhanced by the typical Mediterranean climate it enjoys, having hot dry summers and mild winters. Obviously there are local...

Auvergne

Situated in the heart of France, in the centre of the Massif Central, Auvergne is an area which is generally rugged and rocky in terrain with mountains rising to 7000 feet. The River Allier which runs through it has created the dramatic Allier Gorges. The ‘puy’ of the region, widely found in place names, is the name of the characteristic rounded hilltops made from the hardened magma of ancient volcanoes which have not erupted.There is little to worry about with regard to volcanic...

Fumel

Fumel is a commune in the Lot et Garonne Department of south-west France. Sited on the River Lot, the town is 43 kms from the department capital, Agen. The area around Fumel consists of a lush rural landscape of rolling hills, orchards and picturesque villages. Its climate is warm and temperate with July being the month of lowest rainfall.Fumel can be easily accessed by the motorway network and is approximately 9 hours drive from the Channel ports. Bergerac airport is about an hour away...

Agen

The charming town of Agen is the capital of the Lot et Garonne department in south-west France. It has an enviable position close to the river Garonne on the plain at the foot of the Ermitage Hills. On account of the riverside location the area has been a site of human habitation dating back as far as the Neolithic era.The area enjoys a mild Oceanic – type climate with some high temperatures recorded during the summer months and July having the best sunshine record.Agen is truly a...

Bergerac

Bergerac is a picturesque commune in the popular department of the Dordogne in south-western France. Close to the Dordogne River, the town is famous, not least of all as the centre of the Bordeaux wine region with its selection of some of the finest vintages in France.The town is an important tourist destination with attractions that include museums, spectacular flower beds, a delightful old town and even two statues of the town’s famous namesake, Cyrano de Bergerac, hero of both the play...

Lyon

Lyon is a captivating city for a visit, from its wonderful monuments and rich heritage to its fascinating museums and exceptional cuisine.With its established reputation as the French capital of gastronomy, food lovers will adore Lyon. Try such local specialities as cervelle de canuts, soft cheese with herbs, and petit salé, ham with lentils.With more than 1,000 restaurants in Lyon, France’s third largest city, you really will be spoilt for choice.Not only is Lyon the centre of...

Sarthe

The Sarthe is a largely rural department in the north of the Pays-de la-Loire region. It is named after the River Sarthe which joins the Loire at Angers. Most of the population lives in the urban area around Le Mans with the remainder of the department being mostly agricultural in character.Being located within easy reach of the capital, The Sarthe enjoys good transport links with other parts of France and the UK. There are TGV routes to Sable-sur-Sarthe and Le Mans (just 54 minutes from...